Movie Report: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Directed by , The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first installment of a three-part film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel. Released in December 2012, it marked a return to Middle-earth nearly a decade after the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. 1. Movie Synopsis & Plot

Along the way, they face Goblins, Orcs, and Wargs, but the most pivotal moment occurs when Bilbo encounters the creature (Andy Serkis) in dark tunnels and gains possession of a "precious" gold ring that will eventually decide the fate of Middle-earth. 2. Core Production Details Director: Peter Jackson.

New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), and WingNut Films.

Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro. Release Dates: New Zealand: December 12, 2012. United States: December 14, 2012.

Entirely filmed in New Zealand between March 2011 and July 2012. 3. Key Cast and Characters Martin Freeman Bilbo Baggins The "burglar" and protagonist. Ian McKellen Gandalf the Grey The wise wizard guiding the quest. Richard Armitage Thorin Oakenshield Leader of the dwarf company. Andy Serkis Reprising his motion-capture role. Cate Blanchett Lady of Lothlórien. Ian Holm Reprising his role from LOTR. 4. Technical Specifications & Innovations

The story follows (Martin Freeman), a home-loving hobbit who is recruited by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) to join a company of thirteen dwarves. Led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), their quest is to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug .